quick 1 of 3

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as in fast
having or showing quickness of mind a quick lad, he immediately caught on to how the machinery operated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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quick

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adverb

quick

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noun

as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quick
Adjective
The cast members were quick to throw each other under the bus, so to say. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024 Snagging a deal on Woot is about being quick, as these deals don't stick for long, disappearing as soon as stock runs out (which is usually pretty quick). Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Adverb
The Nissan doesn't feel fast on the road, but the CVT does make initial takeoff quicker than expected. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 So the innovation and technology advancement is more quicker in a modern world. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Hall’s adaptation cuts to the quick of the novel and transfers the shifting, unsettling quality of Larsen’s text back onto the viewer’s shoulders. New York Times, 20 Oct. 2021 Jones took the snap and fired a quick out to Henry for 6 yards and the first down. BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2021 See all Example Sentences for quick 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
Adjective
  • Desperate for answers on what went wrong on Election Day, finger-pointing among Democrats and media pundits has been swift.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • No matter, the response was swift and harsh from the often insulting and foul-mouthed Trump and other Republicans.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Last week, bond yields surged on expectations that President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to lower tax rates, increase tariffs and reduce regulation could ultimately lead to higher U.S. government debt and inflation, along with faster economic growth.
    Alex Veiga, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
  • The Food and Drug Administration said in an update that the number of people sickened by the fast food bacteria outbreak has climbed from 90 to 104.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • With the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, this call to action has never been more critical and urgent today.
    Ed Gaudet, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center announced on Wednesday that a new G4-magnitude solar storm is imminent following a recent solar flare and a rapid coronal mass ejection headed toward Earth.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • However, Melania, 54, is not so keen on relocating to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the source says.
    Linda Marx, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Veterans assemble In 2015, Wild Bunch co-founder Maraval was keen to set up a sales company in the U.S. to package and sell third-party projects with a focus on English-language titles.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The original pioneers were mostly busy making non-hyperpop or gone: SOPHIE tragically died in 2021; 100 gecs spent years toiling to make their zany stadium-rock second album.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
  • People have found out in the process — some who’ve gone virtual — their attendance has gone way up.
    Peggy O’Hare, ExpressNews.com, 7 May 2020
Noun
  • This is because perfumers have new and improved molecules to work with that capture different facets of the rose (the fresh green stems, the delicate petals, the intoxicating heart).
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Our colleagues, who work tirelessly every day with pride and love in their hearts to do their best for our guests, our owners and each other.
    Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Biden administration was working on things to incentivize innovation, giving money to people willing to take on zoning challenges.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 11 Nov. 2024
  • This time, President-elect Donald Trump knows a lot more about how to manipulate the levers of power and plans to surround himself with loyalists willing to do his bidding in making sweeping changes to both policies and processes.
    Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Amazon The best smart shades can be awfully expensive, but this clever retrofit gadget from Eve can make one of your existing roller blinds smart.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
  • What’s also clever is that Mela has positioned itself as an accessible brand.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near quick

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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